| Abstract Scope |
Brain is a complex organ consisting of billions of interconnected neurons. To fully understand how brain functions and effectively treat neurological disorders, it is necessary to develop multifunctional neural interfaces devices that can communicate with the brain bidirectionally. Existing neural interface devices are mostly based on silicon or metal wires whose mechanical properties are drastically different from that of the brain tissues. Other flexible neural probes often suffer from limited functionally. To address this challenge, we developed multifunctional polymer fiber-based neural probes that allow simultaneous electrical recording, optical stimulation, and drug delivery in the brain. The flexible fiber and fiber array structures also enable large volume deep brain interfacing and chronic biocompatibility. In addition, we developed a unique fiber tapering technology to minimize the tissue damage at the fiber tip while ensuring scalable connection at the fiber backend. These devices opened up new opportunities in seizure and controlled substance studies. |